Tammisaari (in Swedish: Ekenäs) is a truly enticing small town where one can reach practically everything just by walking.
Gamla Bastun (in English: the Old Sauna) is a gateway leading straight to the heart of the idyllic Ekenäs Old Town.

One of the gems of those many picturesque buildings with historic significance is situated at the waterfront; it has been known for the past 120 years under the name Ekenäs Badinrättning (Ekenäs bathing facilities). Just here opens nothing less than a breathtaking view towards the glittering waters of the bay. Two high-end saunas along with modern bathing facilities will be built in these premises which will undergo a painstaking renovation. The property will include a total of five business venues (two of them in the old red brick building and three in the new sauna building). How about a wine bar and an antique shop, both situated on the street level just to please the leisurely strollers and visitors to Ekenäs wishing to drop by?

The distinct Ekenäs Badinrättning – a stately brick building designed back in 1903 by renown Finnish architect  named Theodor Höijer – is both culturally and (construction) historically valuable piece of architecture, officially protected by the township’s generalplan (sr). This very building is not only a central piece of the old town’s built cultural environment but an example boasting a nationwide architectural importance.

History

Early history of the Ekenäs bathing facilities (Ekenäs badinrättning)

In January 1902 Mr. Lindman decides to call up a meeting in order to see if founding a new bathing facility in the town would be feasible. Eventually, this leads to establishing a public company named Aktiebolaget Ekenäs Badinrättning; apart from Mr. Lindman three other gentlemen are to constitute the board: consul Höijer, master builder Fransson >and bailiff Ljungberg.

The ambitious building under construction requires poling for its foundation due to its very close proximity to the seashore; however in July 1903 a new building is erected at the address Västra Strandgatan. This exceptionally attractive building designed by Theodor Höijer is still in our time standing where it has always been – and we may say that, in the 2020s, the Gamla Bastun is in better shape than ever.

The delicate line of Höijer’s pen and his most unique design style can be seen in many buildings of architectural significance to be found in the capital Helsinki, such as the public library at Rickhardinkatu (built in 1882), the art museum Ateneum (1887), one of the three museums forming the Finnish National Gallery, as well as the renowned Hotel Kämp (1887).

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New Life

The stately building known as Ekenäs Badinrättning, the Ekenäs bathing facilities, was completed during the year 1903. In April 2020 the whole premises Gamla Bastun including several old buildings was sold in a public auction to entrepreneur and real estate developer Mr. Matti Laamanen.

His whole real estate development project is nothing less than truly ambitious in many respects: among others, the idea is to contribute to the continued growth of Ekenäs/Tammisaari to become as attractive a destination as possible for visitors.

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Apartments

The whole block constituting the Gamla Bastun forms a kind of gateway straight to the heart of the ’Gamla Stan’ – as the old town in Ekenäs is best known. Its location inbetween the Stallörspark’s greenery and the Västvallen street, right at the seaside with a fantastic view towards the bay, is nothing less than one-of-a-kind.

Every apartment or condo belonging to the Gamla Bastun property offers its occupants truly unique qualities: unobstructed view to the sea, historic cultural enviroment, peace of mind, small town idyl, salty sea breeze, short walking distance to practically all destinations you can think of in the compact center of small town Ekenäs…

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Sauna & Bathing

In the near future Tammisaari, our idyllic old town, is going to see something completely new and exciting as far as one for us Finns pretty familiar relaxing and rejuvenating activity is concerned: we are talking about sauna, the Finnish temple of well-being – something that is proven to be conducive to health both of your body and mind. A fine sauna and bathing facility will be opened within the property Gamla Bastun (GB2) rather soon.

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Café & Wine bar

At the gateway to the Ekenäs old town (so called ’gamla stan’ in Swedish), along the Västvallen street you can enjoy a wide maritime view extending over the serene bay. Right here you may have longed for just one more thing: a cozy café with its own profile. You might have dreamt of a place to visit during your refreshing seaside stroll, a coffee house where you can smell the freshness of the just baked delicacies or a place where a friendly barista creates just your kind of espresso within minutes. We may also talk about a venue where a ’pit stop’ from the next-door sauna sounds most inviting for any steam-treated bather in need of a cold pint or two…

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The House of Antiques (Antikhuset)

It may be hard to imagine a more suitable location for a unique antique shop with its own profile than the street level space at the historic building Gamla Bastun originally built back in 1903. A well-stocked shop with the Swedish-language name ’Antikhus’ is a paradise for any visitor wishing to make discoveries and good bargains.

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Reservations

These pages are for the Gamla Bastun dwellers.
The section is under construction.

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Contacts